Combination shipping case and shelf extender display assembly

ABSTRACT

A combination shipping carton or case and display assembly consisting of a tray-like container and a cover connected through an integral hinge. The cover is formed with integral hook or hanger means for attachment of the open carton to a forwardly projecting shelf edge so that the carton hangs on and extends outwardly from the shelf as an article-displaying extension thereof.

United States Patent Taub Sept. 23, 1975 COMBINATION SHIPPING CASE AND 3,325,038 6/l967 Ferney 220/18 x SHELF EXTENDER DISPLAY ASSEMBLY l; uns e a [75] Inventor: Ronald H. Taub, Highland Park, Ill. 3,504 787 4/1970 B k Assign: Taub Family Trust g 3,670,872 6/1972 Rock et al 206/44 R [11. Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg [22] Flled' June 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm Michael G. Berkman 2"1] Appl. No.: 482,317

[57] ABSTRACT 4 2 5322 9 A combination shipping carton or case and display as- [58] 'l 312/234 259 280 sembly consisting of a tray-like container and a cover 3 7;; connected through an integral hinge. The cover is 108/34 38 206744 3 formed with integral hook or hanger means for attach- 45 i 2i8/17/4 ment of the open carton to a forwardly projecting shelf edge so that the carton hangs on and extends outwardly from the shelf as an article-displaying ex- [56] References Cited tension thereofi 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,770,513 11/1956 Brown 211/88 x 6 D'awmg Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 3 3,907,104

US Patent Se t. 23,1975 Sheee 2 of3 3,907,104

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 on 3,907,104

COMBINATION SHIPPING CASE AND SHELF EXTENDER DISPLAY ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a versatile packaging device which, in its closed condition constitutes the container in which articles are shipped and, in its open position, serves as a tray in which the packaged articles are viewed as a display. More particularly, the invention is directed to a shipping container which also serves as a shelf-mounted display in which the packed articles are retained for viewing. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the cover element and the box-like tray body of the assembly are joined through an integral hinge, the cover also including integrally formed hook means or hanger means by which the assembly is supported on a longitudinally extending forwardly directed shelf edge in a supermarket or the like.

It is an important feature of the invention that in the closed disposition of the container, the latter gives the overall impression of being a conventional shipping case. However, upon pivotally opening the case, the end walls or side walls of the cover define a pair of hanger elements or books positionable to overlie a shelf so that the latter constitutes a mechanical support for the open container, and the tray-like body of the container becomes a forwardly directed extension of the shelf itself. It will be appreciated that an inherent feature of the structure described is that the articles contained in the shipping case are presented to the view of prospective purchasers as a novel display.

A related feature of the invention is that the hooklike hangers which constitute structural components of the cover also include stabilizing means or mechanical stops which abut the underside of the shelf to preclude undue pivotal rotation of the assembly about the forward edge of the supporting shelf.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the structure is fabricated from a single blank of corrugated paperboard or the like, and the physical formation of the end walls or side walls of the cover in which the hook components are contained is such that these walls are multi-layered, thereby imparting important increased physical strength to the hanging structure.

In a specific preferred embodiment of the display assembly, the forward or the front wall of the container body or tray is cut away to provide enhanced viewing of the articles arrayed in the tray, the hanging, open container thereby presenting a most attractive display appearance.

It is an important feature of the combination shipping container and shelf hanging display of the invention that the device is conveniently set up in place for use without any requirement for special tools and without any need for manual dexterity or mechanical expertise. All that is necessary is that the box be opened by pivotally rotating the cover upwardly about its hinge and, thereafter, hanging the assembly, by the integrally formed, cover-carried hooks, on the shelf edge.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the general arrangement of the hook components by means of which the assembly is hung is such that the assembly is adapted for use with any of varied shelf thicknesses, affording the display a high degree of versatility.

An important practical feature and characteristic of the display invention is that it can be produced in a simple manufacturing operation at manufacturing costs which do not exceed significantly the cost of making a simple box and cover.

A related feature of the invention is that the combination shipping container and display is fabricated from a single planar blank which is die stamped, scored, and slotted as required but which is then erected without any need for glues, staples or similar fastening devices.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination shipping and display case according to the invention and showing the case in its display configuration arrangement and supported to hang from the edge of a shelf;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the case as it appears closed;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing the case in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the cover of case taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the body of the tray taken substantially on the lines 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially on the lines 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially on the lines 88 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the lines 9-9 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view ofa blank, which is folded and interlocked to form one preferred embodiment of the case of the invention.

The aims and objects of the invention are realized by providing in a combination shipping container and display case a set of integrally formed structural hooks or hangers by means of which the open case is displayed by being hung from the edge of a shelf to constitute an outwardly directed extension thereof. In its preferred embodiment the case is fabricated of corrugated paperboard or the like and constructed from a unitary blank which is appropriately scored and slotted to provide self-contained se'curement means so that the blank is transformed from a planar sheet into the integral container and cover of the novel case, without any need for adhesive, staples, or other auxiliary fasteners or fastening means. Rather, the component elements of the erected box assembly are interlocked through self contained slots, flanges and tabs, all as described more fully herebelow.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1-3, for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment of one form of the combination shipping container and display assembly of the invention. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the assembly 20 is depicted as generally box-like in form in its closed disposition (FIG. 2). As such, the assembly constitutes the shipping container or case in which articles 24 to be displayed are packaged and transported. The case includes an open container component or tray 30 which is joined to a cover 36 by means of an integral hinge 40, the latter extending the full lateral width of the container. As shown, the hinge 40 is defined by a score line which separates the back wall 42 of the tray 30 from the top wall 46 of the cover 36. The tray 30 includes a pair of opposed end walls 50 and 52, a partial or fragmentary front wall or rail 56, and a floor 60 all of which are interlocked with each other and with the rear wall 42 of the tray by means of auxiliary panels 62 and 64 pivotally attached to the end walls 50 and 52 along fold or score lines 68 and 70. Tabs 74 and 76 are attached to the lower side edges of the side walls 50 and 52 along the fold lines 80 and 82 and a flange 86 is hingedly connected to the front wall 56 along a pair of closely spaced parallel fold lines 90 and 92. The flange 86 includes a pair of laterally spaced integrally formed locking tabs 96 and 98 adapted to project into and interlock within a pair of cooperating cutouts or slots 102 and 104 formed in the floor 60 of the tray at a forward edge extremity thereof. The structure described makes it possible to fold the end walls 50 and 52 inwardly along fold lines 106 and 108 to extend outwardly from and normally to the rear wall 42 of the tray 30 with the flanges 62 and 64 overlying and in contiguous abutment with the floor 60. At the same time, the locking tabs 74 and 76 are brought inwardly along the adjacent edges 112 and 114 of the panels 62 and 64 so that the projecting lower edges 1 18 and 120 of the tabs 74 and 76 enter and seat within cooperating cutouts 124 and 126 formed in the margins 112 and 114 of the panels 62 and 64, the cutouts 124 and 126 registering to coincide with the slots 102 and 104 when the panels 62 and 64 are pivoted to overlie the floor 60 of the tray.

With the end walls 50 and 52 of the tray positioned in place, and the panels 62 and 64 overlying the floor 60, and the tabs 74 and 76 positioned to abut the forward edges 112 and 114 of the panels 62 and 64, and the extensions 118 and 120 of the tabs 74 and 76 seated within the cutouts 124 and 126, the partial or fragmentary front wall assembly is completed by bending the front wall panel 56 upwardly along a fold line 128 so that the rear of the front wall 56 abuts and bears against the front face of the locking tabs 74 and 76. The flange 86 is then folded over and downwardly behind the tabs 74 and 76 and the locking projections 96 and 98 f the flange 86 are forceably seated within the slots 102 and 104 to complete the tray interlock configuration.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the assembly depicted, the cover 36 of the case is reinforced at its side walls to provide the requisite physical strength for supporting the open case 20 on a shelf in a hanging position. Referring again to FIG. 10, the cover 36 of the case 20 includes a top wall 46 hingedly connected to a front wall 130 along a fold line 132. Integrally joined to the front wall 130 along fold lines 136 and 138 are end wall panel elements 142 and 144, and integral with and connected to corresponding lateral edges of the top wall 46 of the cover, along fold lines 148 and 150, is a second pair of end panels 154 and 156. Extending laterally outwardly from the end panels 154 and 156 and connected respectively thereto along double parallel fold lines 160 and 162 are locking flanges 166 and 168, the latter being provided with tablike extensions or projections 170 and 172 extending outwardly from respective locking tabs 166 and 168 and adapted for locking insertion within a pair of cooperating slots 172 and 174 formed at the lateral extremities of the top wall 46 of the cover 36.

Each of the end panel elements 142, 144 and 154 and 156 and each of the locking flanges 166 and 168 is formed with an open-ended keyway-like slot 180 of such a configuration as to define in each case, a finger 182 and a pawl-like stop 186 disposed on opposite boundaries of an elongated passageway 190 adapted to receive the forward edge of a shelf 192 therethrough to seat within an internal groove 194, as indicated in FIG. 3.

. In assembling the cover 36, the side flanges 142 and 144 are first folded inwardly along fold lines 136 and 138 so that the panels extend normally of the front wall 130. Thereafter, the side panels 154 and 156 are bent upwardly along corresponding fold lines 148 and to abut and bear upon the walls 142 and 144. The locking flanges 166 and 168 are then folded over and around the side panels 142 and 144 along fold lines and 162 and the locking tabs and 172 are inserted in and locked within cooperating slots 174 and 176. In the arrangement described the cut out portions in each of the end panels 142,144,154 and 156 and in the locking flanges 166 and 168 assume coincidence or registry to define a triple-layered end-wall structure, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the composite end walls consisting of contiguously overlying and interlocked panels 142, 154 and 166 and panels 144, 156 and 168 provide a structure which has the requisite physical strength for supporting the article-carrying tray 30 on the shelf 192 as an outwardly projecting extension thereof.

It is believed that upon consideration of the foregoiong detailed description, the manner in which the display assembly of the invention is attached to hang from a shelf 192 will be evident. Specifically, it is necessary merely to open the case by folding the cover 36 back along the hinge line 40 so that the tray 30 is fully exposed and the top wall 46 of the cover folds back upon, lies against, and bears upon the rear wall 42 of the tray 30, all as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The cover 36 is then positioned over the outwardly directed edge of the shelf 192 so that the forward marginal portion of the shelf 192 enters into the keyway or cutout 180 in the cover end walls and so that the fingers 182 of the end walls bear upon the upper surface 200 of the shelf 192 while the stops 186 abut the undersurface 202 of the shelf, all as clearly shown in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that an upwardly extending edge 204 of the shelf is conveniently seated within a bight portion or groove 206 formed between the finger 182 and the edge 208 bounding the inner extremity of the slot 180. Since the angle at which the open display is supported on the shelf is not critical, the assembly is adapted for convenient use on any and varied types of shelf structures. It will be understood, upon consideration of FIG. 3, that simple modification of the physical extent or length of the stop 186 constitutes a means for accommodating the shelf extender of the invention to shelves of different thickness. That is, it is necessary merely to cut off the upper extremity of the stop 186, thereby to shorten the effective length of that stop. This minor adjustment effectuates a pivotal repositioning of the assembly in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3.

While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred structural materials such as corrugated paper-board, plastic sheet material and the like, it is obvious that many other structural materials may be used. Additionally, although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred structural embodiment, so as to set forth a preferred mechanical technique for interlocking the various component elements of the unitary blank, alternative procedures and arrangements are clearly within the scope of the inventive concept which is the essence of the present inven- What is claimed is: 1. A combination shipping and shelf-hanging display case comprising a box body constituting an open-top container for packaging articles therewithin,

said container having a floor, a rear wall and a pair of side walls,

a cover including a top wall and a pair of opposed end walls connected thereto,

said cover adapted to serve both as a closure for said container to confine the articles within said container during shipment thereof and as a hanger to support said container on a shelf for display of articles contained therein when said case is in an open position,

hinge means integrally formed with an interconnecting said container with said cover for articulated pivotal movement therebetween,

said cover being pivotal about said hinge means between a first position in which said case is closed and a second position in which said case is open,

said hanger means including a pair of laterally spaced, shelf-engaging fingers integral with said end walls, said fingers defining terminal edges presented generally downwardly toward and bounding 30 at least a portion of said openings formed in said end walls,

said terminal edges adapted to engage the shelf at an upwardly presented surface thereof to bear thereupon as the shelf edge projects through said openings when said container is open and said cover hangs upon and depends from the shelf,

said top wall of said cover defining a positive abutment and substantially coextensive support for said rear wall of said container with said rear wall of 40 said container overlying and bearing contiguously against said top wall of said cover when said case is open and is grippingly secured to depend from a shelf as a forwardly-directed article-carrying extension thereof.

2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongated upwardly directed pawl-like adjustable stops integrally formed from said end walls and constituting rearwardly oriented portions thereof,

said stops constituting projections terminating in upwardly directed abutment edges adapted to thrust against and bear upwardly against a shelf at an under surface thereof when said case hangs from the shelf,

said stops being readily adjustable to define a shortened projection so as readily to effect an arcuate positioned adjustment of said case as it depends from a shelf, and said stops constituting stabilizing braces for said case to obviate excessive pivotal arcuate movement of said case about the forward edge of the shelf when hung thereon.

3. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a flange-like web integral with said floor of said container and extending upwardly therefrom,

said web constituting rail-like front wall means for retaining articles in place within said container.

4. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fingers engaging the shelf are generally hook-like in form and define a bight portion opening downwardly and adapted to receive therewithin an upwardly directed flange edging the shelf.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case is fabricated of corrugated paper-board and the like and wherein said opposed end walls of said cover comprise multilayered coextensive panels, thereby to enhance physical strength characteristics of said end walls and of said hanger means constituting components thereof.

6. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said display case constitutes an integral, unitary structure fabricated from a single blank of corrugated paper-board and the like.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QETEHQATE 0F GORRECTION Patent 3,907,1OA Dated September 25, 1975 Inve t Ronald H. Taub It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 21 "an" should be --and- Column 5, line 27, said"should be omitted.

Signed and Scaled this twenty-third 1 of March 1 976 [SEAL] A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arlesrl'ng Officer Commissioner ofPatents and Trademarks 

1. A combination shipping and shelf-hanging display case comprising a box body constituting an open-top container for packaging articles therewithin, said container having a floor, a rear wall and a pair of side walls, a cover including a top wall and a pair of opposed end walls connected thereto, said cover adapted to serve both as a closure for said container to confine the articles within said container during shipment thereof and as a hanger to support said container on a shelf for display of articles contained therein when said case is in an open position, hinge means integrally formed with an interconnecting said container with said cover for articulated pivotal movement therebetween, said cover being pivotal about said hinge means between a first position in which said case is closed and a second position in which said case is open, said hanger means including a pair of laterally spaced, shelfengaging fingers integral with said end walls, said fingers defining terminal edges presented generally downwardly toward and bounding at least a portion of said openings formed in said end walls, said terminal edges adapted to engage the shelf at an upwardly presented surface thereof to bear thereupon as the shelf edge projects through said openings when said container is open and said cover hangs upon and depends from the shelf, said top wall of said cover defining a positive abutment and substantially coextensive support for said rear wall of said container with said rear wall of said container overlying and bearing contiguously against said top wall of said cover when said case is open and is grippingly secured to depend from a shelf as a forwardly-directed article-carrying extension thereof.
 2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongated upwardly directed pawl-like adjustable stops integrally formed from said end walls and constituting rearwardly oriented portions thereof, said stops constituting projections terminating in upwardly directed abutment edges adapted to thrust against and bear upwardly against a shelf at an under surface thereof when said case hangs from the shelf, said stops being readily adjustable to define a shortened projection so as readily to effect an arcuate positioned adjustment of said case as it depends from a shelf, and said stops constituting stabilizing braces for said case to obviate excessive pivotal arcuate movement of said case about the forward edge of the shelf when hung thereon.
 3. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a flange-like web integral with said floor of said container and extending upwardly therefrom, said web constituting rail-like front wall means for retaining articles in place within said container.
 4. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fingers engaging the shelf are generally hook-like in form and define a bight portion opening downwardly and adapted to receive therewithin an upwardly directed flange edging the shelf.
 5. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case is fabricated of corrugated paper-board and the like and wherein said opposed end walls of said cover comprise multilayered coextensive panels, thereby to enhance physical strength characteristics of said end walls and of said hanger means constituting components thereof.
 6. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said display case constitutes an integral, unitary structure fabricated from a single blank of corrugated paper-board and the like. 